Shower Shave vs Sink Shave

Guys, let’s get straight to the point. You need to shave in the shower – it’s way better than over the sink. As they say in those stupid ads, here’s the science bit.

Showers are hot (unless you’re one of those self-help gurus who takes their showers cold). The heat softens your beard. Those little follicles of hair you’re trying to slice off? They’re going to be putty in your hands once you get the temperature up. The hotter and wetter you are, the less razorburn you’ll get. True story.

Showers are wet. All that moisture, guess where it’s going? Into your beard! Making it soft, supple, and ready to literally fall off your face. (Not literally. That would be hideous.)

Showers are sexy. Remember James Bond cuddling Eva Green in the shower? Of course you do.

Before

If you bought a fogless mirror that needs to be heated or have warm put in, do that.

Also make sure you’ve got a sharp razor. If you’re thinking about using one that’s near the end of its life – why? Your face is important. Get a new, sharp, clean one and you won’t have nicks or irritation.

If you’ve never done it before, work out which way your hair grows under the chin. For most people it grows towards the nose, but some people have patches of hair that grow in different directions.

Moisturise your face, then apply your pre-shave oil. This lubricates your beard and creates a layer of protection where the blade touches the skin and stops you from ‘pulling’ the hair out. Follow that with some shaving cream and you’re good to go.

During

Pull your skin taut – that’ll help you get a very close shave. Smooth as an android’s butt. Pull, stretch, glide. Go slowly.

Go with the grain – the way the hair grows. If you feel the razor resisting you, you’re probably shaving in the wrong direction. It probably still works, but it’s not ideal. At that point you’re more pulling the hair than cutting it, and you risk having ingrown hair.

Take care under your mustache and under your chin as those are the areas most prone to nicks.

After

This is criminally undervalued. You have to pat your face down with a cold towel, or at least splash some cold water on your skin. That will close your pores and prevent bacteria getting in there.

Aftershave is a personal preference, but if you have dry skin consider picking up a shave butter that contains a lot of moisturiser.